Does the object do a job for you? If so, it's essential; if not, it's clutter.

Now, that job could be to help you brush your teeth (the toothbrush in the stand on the counter), it could be to give you something beautiful to look at (the pictures on the wall), or it could be to make you feel good by bringing back a happy memory (that little jar of sand labeled Beachfront Property.)

Over the years, I've whittled down my cluttery stuff to a minimum. However, that "minimum" includes a stack of papers that I un-stack, sort, and re-stack with maddening regularity.

I decided to tackle the stack last week. I spread out all the papers on the living room floor and have made progress by being forced to stare at the stuff.

Now there are seven small, categorized stacks left with not more than about a half-dozen papers in each one. My cleaning lady will be here in a few days and I have vowed to have the stacks gone (not just re-stacked) before she arrives.

It's surprising that a person can get so stymied by innocuous papers that require what I would consider logically simple decisions. I suspect a therapist might have some fun with that!

I just moved after 14 years in the same apartment, and that really forces you to de-clutter. Anything in the back of the storage closet went to Goodwill. I'm not naturally inclined to clutter -- I have no problem throwing away a box of letters, for example -- but my husband is. Maybe he's just inclined to have more stuff; maybe the tax returns from a dozen years ago give him a sense of security, which is a function.

Cynthia, I know just what you mean. Sometimes getting those last bits of paper dealt with can be very hard, for reasons it's sometimes hard to fathom.

Karen, there are some specific situations where a storage locker make sense and the items in the locker aren't clutter - but way too often, I think you're right. Or maybe 2% of what's there isn't clutter - but can you find that 2%?

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About this Blog

A Note on Products

Products don't solve all your organizing challenges. I've gone into many homes and offices littered with products that didn't work - or maybe never got used!

But I do believe it is important to use tools (address books, calendars, storage containers, etc.) that are perfectly suited to you, both functionally and aesthetically (if that matters to you). If you find your perfect tools, you are much more likely to use them!

(Note: Except for any clearly-noted blog sponsorships, I do not make any money on any of the products listed here. I get some free samples sent to me every once in a while, and those are always disclosed.)